Interesting Mustaine quote in new Guitar Player interview.

[Hellbat]

What was your workhorse studio gear for recording Th1rt3en?

I used my Marshal JVM410h, a Fractal Audio Axe-Fx preamp and effects processor, and a Korina VMNT that I rely on a lot in the studio. I used to play my main Jackson in the studio even when I was endorsed by ESP, but I don't have to do that kind of thing now because my Deans sound as good in the studio as they do live.



Sick burn on ESP...

[Richard W]

Dave left ESP because "the relationship wasn't there." I don't know what ESP did to piss Dave off; but man, I'd like to know.

[Nimitz]

Dave please come back home for an all Jackson lineup... wait can Dave hear me through this forum?

[canadian bacon]

Good for these guys for having endorsements I guess, but to me it's all a bit like Rusty Wallace being associated with Pontiac... no Ford... wait, Toyota pays the bills now.

It's just business, I get it.

[Animus]

I'd rather have a ESP over a Dean anyday.

[kermitz]

I wish Dave and Jackson would work together again. It just seems soo odd whenever I see Dave playing anything else.

[Sephiroth]

That's not unusual. It seems like most ESP endorsees record with other guitars.

It only bothers me when ESP is running ads essentially taking credit for the sound of the guitar work of recorded albums, which is pretty much implied in every ESP ad for someone who did not record with them.

I'd rather have a ESP over a Dean anyday.

Not me. ESP is one company I have absolute zero respect for.

[Jayster]

T
Not me. ESP is one company I have absolute zero respect for.

Some of the older ESP's were really good guitars, but they really trashed their own name when they started flooding the market with cheaper guitars.

[Sephiroth]

Some of the older ESP's were really good guitars, but they really trashed their own name when they started flooding the market with cheaper guitars.

It's not only that. It's the blatant knocking-off of sig guitars of dead artists (especially in Japan where they do it more under other names and even under the ESP name). That's like a line in the sand for me. Plus ESP has targeted Jackson since the 80's with always wanting to take everything Jackson gets, and most of the time they get it. And it's like every time they get a new artist sig model, lo and behold it's a copy of what that artist was already playing from another maker.


ESP is probably the only major guitar-maker without a single unique model it can truely call its own

[levantin]

It's not only that. It's the blatant knocking-off of sig guitars of dead artists (especially in Japan where they do it more under other names and even under the ESP name). That's like a line in the sand for me. Plus ESP has targeted Jackson since the 80's with always wanting to take everything Jackson gets, and most of the time they get it. And it's like every time they get a new artist sig model, lo and behold it's a copy of what that artist was already playing from another maker.

So true, stuff like the Hetfield iron cross ripoff and the Alexi Laiho Rhoads ripoff are disgraceful, but ESP also made a lot of guitars that have good features and are well priced for amateur or semi pro players. In the last decade Jackson has been slow to respond to the competition from the LTD's and Schecters of the world and also it has been difficult to get the new models. I think the Jackson body shapes are the coolest ever for metal guitars, but I play a Schecter 7 string because Jackson doesn't have a lot of variety in that segment. But I digress...

ESP is probably the only major guitar-maker without a single unique model it can truely call its own

There's the EX and the Snakebyte and they both look like ass.

[SausageofPower]

It's not only that. It's the blatant knocking-off of sig guitars of dead artists (especially in Japan where they do it more under other names and even under the ESP name).

I'm not an ESP owner and I don't really have any on my "must have" list, but...didn't we do this already? You mentioned the Rhoads Laiho ripoff, said it was more blatant in Japan, I pointed to the Japanese site and asked where, the thread died shortly thereafter. I mean, all brands use a certain array of shapes (Strat, Tele, LP, Explorer, Flying V, etc), so if you start taking aim at one company you may as well shoot all of them.

Maybe I'm just conservative, but I'd rather see better QC and construction methods with more options rather than some snazzy new shape (after all, that's how we end up with stuff like the Stabbed Poo :P).

And that applies to ALL the companies, not just ESP/Jackson/Fender/etc.

[veemagic]

Well it would make sense that his Deans can handle what he needs like his Jacksons since they basically copied the Jackson minus the head stock. I haven't played one, but from first look the body, bevels, neck shape, etc... look so similar, and I seem to remember reading somewhere that Dave gave Dean one of his remaining Jacksons and said "make me one like this" I mean Dean, so can ESP for that matter, can make quality guitars so if you get what your used to whats the difference? As for the great ESP debate. I have an early nineties MII deluxe bolt on and I love it. It was my main go to strat shape guitar for a very long time. Has a great neck and fantastic quality. I haven't purchased, or played a new ESP so I can't comment on that. I would still love to get my hands on an early Kamikaze. I just love those Lynch models.

[Sephiroth]

I'm not an ESP owner and I don't really have any on my "must have" list, but...didn't we do this already? You mentioned the Rhoads Laiho ripoff, said it was more blatant in Japan, I pointed to the Japanese site and asked where, the thread died shortly thereafter. I mean, all brands use a certain array of shapes (Strat, Tele, LP, Explorer, Flying V, etc), so if you start taking aim at one company you may as well shoot all of them.

Maybe I'm just conservative, but I'd rather see better QC and construction methods with more options rather than some snazzy new shape (after all, that's how we end up with stuff like the Stabbed Poo :P).

And that applies to ALL the companies, not just ESP/Jackson/Fender/etc.

Sure most share general shapes, but no one has been as blatant as ESP has. They produced near-exact knock-offs with their names in place up until they get sued, then only slightly modify the design (and ususally only in America) to make it legal. They must have gone through that legal dance with Fender, Jackson, Gibson, and everyone else a hundred times over the years.

And find me one guitar-maker who made the Rhoads before Jackson did. It's more distinctly unique than a Les Paul or strat in a field of double-cuts and single-cuts.

[Chad]

Here's the last ESP thread:

http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/121946-Is-ESP-trying-to-copy-JACKSON-CHARVEL

[roodyrocker]

I'd rather have a ESP over a Dean anyday.

I'm with you, I don't mind real ESP guitars at all. I have a few and like them a lot.